Foolin' Around
April Fools Day has a long history of pranks, jokes and jestering. We've all probably been "had" by a good April Fools gag.
What does it have to do with marketing? One of the goals of marketing is to be memorable. If you want to stick out in a crowded marketplace sometimes you have to be different and you certainly have to be creative.
Radio stations are often trying to outdo each other with unusual April Foolery. Case in point is a radio station in Fargo, North Dakota that has been promoting tattoos for your toddler. It looks like a real product and the company, Tattoo Your Toddler (www.tattooyourtoddler.com) claims they don't use needles but that the tattoos last up to ten years. Part of what makes this gag work so well is the detail they went to with the website. Very creative. The radio station got lots of email response, including many outraged at the idea. Bet this radio station gets remembered.
Of course, if you are going to use humor and a bit of trickery, at some point let your audience in on it. And it is important to not let the humor overshadow your purpose, product or service. If that happens you are like those Super Bowl commercials that everyone talks about but can't remember what company was being advertised.
Another website famous for sending out an annual highly satirical and funny "April Fools" edition of their ezine is Soujourners (sojo.net). They are a faith and justice religious organization known for challenging Christians and non-Christians alike to truly follow the teachings of Jesus, including helping those oppressed and in need. Sometimes they ruffle the feathers of those who want their religion to champion their political preferences. Last years April Fool's special edition was hilarious, but it also made me think (see here - note: you have to subscribe to view the content, but I recommend their newsletter). I consider that a successful marketing campaign.
What does it have to do with marketing? One of the goals of marketing is to be memorable. If you want to stick out in a crowded marketplace sometimes you have to be different and you certainly have to be creative.
Radio stations are often trying to outdo each other with unusual April Foolery. Case in point is a radio station in Fargo, North Dakota that has been promoting tattoos for your toddler. It looks like a real product and the company, Tattoo Your Toddler (www.tattooyourtoddler.com) claims they don't use needles but that the tattoos last up to ten years. Part of what makes this gag work so well is the detail they went to with the website. Very creative. The radio station got lots of email response, including many outraged at the idea. Bet this radio station gets remembered.
Of course, if you are going to use humor and a bit of trickery, at some point let your audience in on it. And it is important to not let the humor overshadow your purpose, product or service. If that happens you are like those Super Bowl commercials that everyone talks about but can't remember what company was being advertised.
Another website famous for sending out an annual highly satirical and funny "April Fools" edition of their ezine is Soujourners (sojo.net). They are a faith and justice religious organization known for challenging Christians and non-Christians alike to truly follow the teachings of Jesus, including helping those oppressed and in need. Sometimes they ruffle the feathers of those who want their religion to champion their political preferences. Last years April Fool's special edition was hilarious, but it also made me think (see here - note: you have to subscribe to view the content, but I recommend their newsletter). I consider that a successful marketing campaign.
Comments